Israeli guitar legend Aris San combined traditional Bouzuki technique perfomed on an electric guitar, together with surf guitar, psychedelic guitar and more

The story of Aris San is an interesting, mysterious story. A story of Greek innovator guitar player who immigrated to Israel, became a star, left, got in troubles with the mob and died in mysterious ways...

Aynur's new album Hevra (Together) may be produced by that occasional scourge Javier Limon (responsible for the tinkly piano softness of Yasmin Levy's last album). But, listening to the online sound samples, it sounds like an absolute blinder, with acoustic instrumentation to the fore & plenty of room for her unique vocal. The occasional spanish guitars and what sounds like some cajon percussion, suprisingly sound as if they are deployed really well. Looking forward to hearing the whole album

Ooooh! Fab! Her "Eternity And A Day" s/t album is one of my favourites. This one's "Medea" and one of the tracks is called "Do Not Kill Your Children". Isn't that like doing a soundtrack to a movie about Chuck Berry and having a song called "Do Not Play No Rock'n'Roll"? (sorry...)

David, I'm not really qualified to comment. This is more Egyptiany fusion music, than anything discernably Greek or Turkish. When it comes to Middle Eastern music with pianos I'm usually a conscientous objector, and the Egyptian school of oud isn't my area either. I leave it to the open ears of other SotWers to say more

this is good:

Joseph Tawadros is known for his caustic sense of humor. During a concert at Sydney Opera House, as he found the public too passive, he told them that he and his brother James were just back from Afghanistan, where they played for the troops. The public applauded enthusiastically. He then added : "Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, it's great. I mean, who knew the Taliban loved classical music?"

Thanks, Jamie, for alerting us non-metropolitans to this new rebetiko festival. I am looking forward especially to seeing and hearing Kyriakos Gouvendas. He has been a top-notch performer since he made his bow on Savina Yiannatou's "Primavera en Salonico" album.

Here's an example of Mr. Gouvendas's oeuvre. I just wish people would make up their minds how to transliterate his surname. Thankfully you can't go far wrong with Kyriakos:-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiKqkzBLiVg